Cell phone users need to use common sense

We live in a world where cell phones keep us connected to family and friends while trying to keep up in our fast paced society. I am guilty as charged! While traveling, my cell phone is a life line to my parents, children and grandchildren. However, I do impose rules on myself as to where and when to use it. For example, I do not believe anyone is so important that they need to have a phone conversation in the supermarket checkout line, or at the counter of a fast food restaurant. These are just a couple of my pet peeves, but there are many other occasions when I want to push the end call button for the people that don’t have a clue.

Apparently, Curtis Reeves had similar pet peeves as mine. He was annoyed when a Florida moviegoer kept texting during a movie; so Reeves shot and killed him. Wow, life in prison over texting? You have to ask yourself, “What was he thinking?” It isn’t worth it!

When common sense does not prevail, the law may. In the state of Wisconsin, it is against the law to text while driving and now state lawmakers are considering banning cellphones while driving through a construction zone. The new bill is being proposed by Senator Jerry Petrowski, R-Marathon.

Trooper Kevin Kinderman with the Wisconsin State Patrol said distracted driving is a huge problem, so they set up extra patrols in construction zones. Even with slower speeds in work zones, there's still a higher possibility of crashes.

"With the narrow lanes and the workers, at 55 or 65 mph it only takes a second for a distracted driver using a phone to cause a property damage crash, an injury crash or even worse, a fatal crash," Kinderman said.The bill makes an exception for drivers using a hands-free device in their vehicle -- they would be allowed to talk on the phone in a construction zone. The bill proposes a fine of $20 for drivers caught using a cellphone in a construction zone. That fine jumps to $50 for a second offense in less than a year.

More information on this proposed law will be forthcoming. In the meantime, let us use common sense when using our cell phones.